The Night Lands

Episode 2: The Night Lands

Based on Chapters X-X, A Clash of Kings (book 2)

Synopsis: In the wake of a bloody purge in the capital, Tyrion chastens Cersei for alienating the king's subjects. On the road north, Arya shares a secret with Gendry, a Night's Watch recruit. With supplies dwindling, one of Dany's scouts returns with news of their position. After nine years as a Stark ward, Theon Greyjoy reunites with his father Balon, who wants to restore the ancient Kingdom of the Iron Islands. Davos enlists Salladhor Saan, a pirate, to join forces with Stannis and Melisandre for a naval invasion of King's Landing.

Summary

Arya is heading north with Yoren and the Night’s Watch recruits along the Kingsroad. Gold Cloaks from the City Watch in King’s Landing waylay the caravan, presenting a warrant for the arrest of Gendry. Yoren threatens the pair of them, driving them away for now. Later, Gendry reveals he knew Eddard Stark and he knows that Arya is really a girl. After asking Arya why she thought the Gold Cloaks were after her, Arya tells Gendry she is Arya Stark, of House Stark.

Tyrion returns to his quarters in the Tower of the Hand to find Varys speaking with Shae, who he has been keeping hidden for her protection. Varys hints that he could use knowledge of Shae against Tyrion, while Tyrion counters with a threat of death. They continue to a meeting of The Small Council where Cersei tears up Robb Stark’s letter in reply to the peace terms. In addition, all but Tyrion scoff at a letter from Commander Jeor Mormont requesting Night's Watch men to combat the rising dead.

Samwell Tarly, trying to get Jon Snow to take Gilly, one of Craster’s daughter wives, with them when they leave reveals that Gilly is pregnant with a boy. Jon refuses Sam, as their orders are to leave Craster’s women alone, and to stick to their duties. Curious as to why she would be afraid for her child, and what exactly is done with a son born at Craster’s Keep, Jon follows Craster and his newborn son. In a deep glade of the woods, Jon sees Craster leaving his crying son, taken as an offering by a White Walker. Before Jon can act Craster suddenly appears from behind and knocks him senseless.

Jorah Mormont, resting with the khalasar in The Red Wastes spots a returning riderless horse, with Rakharo’s severed head in the saddle bags. It was done by a rival khal, who is opposed to Daenerys being khaleisi. Daenerys swears revenge and burns Rakharo to rejoin him to his ancestors.

In the capital of the Iron Islands, Pyke, Theon Greyjoy arrives to find no one there to greet his “triumphant” return. He is taken to the Pyke keep by his sister Yara Greyjoy, named Asha originally in the novels. He makes sexual advances on her as he does not recognize her. The grim Balon Greyjoy is unsure where Theon’s loyalties lie, and if he has forgotten the Iron Way, the Ironborn always taking what they want. Balon refuses Robb’s proposition of giving him a crown and will take his crown from those he fights.

Littlefinger comforts but also makes it quite clear to Ros she is to stop crying over the violent death of Barra, bastard daughter of Robert Baratheon. Tyrion Lannister hosts Lord Janos Slynt for dinner, and discusses the digusting murders of King Robert’s bastards by Slynt’s men. Janos Slynt refuses to tell where his orders came from and after expressing his disdain for Slynt, Tyrion surprisingly arrests him. Bronn is the new Commander of the City Watch and Janos Slynt is stripped of his newly found titles and sent to the Night’s Watch. After, Tyrion asks if Bronn would do the same Slynt did if Tyrion commanded him. Bronn says he would not do it without question, “he would ask how much.” Tyrion discerns from Cersei it was not her, but Joffrey who gave the command to slaughter the bastard babies. In that vein, Tyrion reminds her that she cannot rule over millions who hate her. Cersei is disgusted by Tyrion, saying “there is no bigger joke in the world” that their mother died so Tyrion could live.

Davos Seaworth meets with the his old friend, a pirate from Lys, Salladhor Saan, to convince him to serve Stannis Baratheon. Salladhor Saan cares nothing for the “true god” of Lady Melisandre but agrees to help for gold and glory raiding King’s Landing. Davos Seaworth’s son Matthos wants Davos to learn to read, to learn of the salvation of the Red God. Later, Stannis Baratheon is informed of the 30 ships full of fighting men Saladhor Saan brings to his cause. Left alone with Lady Melisandre, he is seduced by her, giving himself fully to R’hllor, and is promised something in return he does not have, a son.

Check out IGN's review of "The Night Lands" here...

A big, fat Westerosian welcome to Pyke! Yes, those Ironborn bastards are now officially a part of the opening credits. Also, welcome back to the show, Arya! We got a little end-of-show peek of you last week, which definitely was not enough. And while I'm welcoming things back to the series I should mention that it was nice seeing Ghost again, as well as officially seeing our first White Walker since...[more]